The verdict is in. If you’re not out in the world networking, speaking and interacting with people face-to-face, you will be at a disadvantage in your business and career. The current world is all about sharing. Have you noticed? Sharing likes, images, contacts and information is a daily occurrence for everyone. Its clear society places a high value on those who share. So are you sharing yourself? Do you have something of value that others can use? Do you think you have what it takes to be a speaker?Who can be a speaker? Look online and you will see millions of videos of speakers. The truth is that with a little bit of effort and confidence, anyone can be a speaker. From a mom with parenting tips to a do-it-yourselfer who can break down a complex home project, people are flocking to see those that are sharing their knowledge by speaking to the public.So, how do you become a speaker that people want to listen to? You start out slow, building your events one at a time. It could be an event at a local school, library or local chamber of commerce. These small venues let you hone your skills and begin developing a following slowly.Get started. Any time is a good time to start. Don’t wait until you feel your presentation is perfect. Look at any successful speaker’s early work and it will look crude. Everybody has to start somewhere, and if what you offer is of value to people, they will be very forgiving. You certainly wouldn’t beat up on someone whose presentation wasn’t perfect if they shared their secret to getting rid of those pesky bugs on your favorite tomato plant. Others will respect you and treat you with the same courtesy.To start, you will need to pitch yourself. That means become your own public relations department. Pick a topic you’re really comfortable with. Put together a media kit (I will cover this in detail in my future posts), but if you don’t have one, a page with your image, bio and contact information will work just fine.Include a short outline of what you plan to talk about. Send it out to places you think might be open to your topic. If they want more information, you can always supply it later on. (Check below for my list of over 50 speaking venues you can start to target right away!)Start with places that are slightly off the grid while you get your experience. Let your authority be known. Your audience is waiting! Follow us on Twitter

Diane Eschenbach, is an author, speaker and Founder of Meet Me Next, Where Speakers and Fans ConnectTo find out more about Meet Me Next, or partner with us, contact Diane at her About.me page. To add your name to the list of speakers, or to support us, please sign up here to be included when we launch. It will be much appreciated.